A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sintra vs. Lille for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sintra or Lille?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sintra or Lille? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Sintra or Lille?

Sintra

Located just 28 kilometers from Lisbon, Sintra is a town that was, for a long time, home to Portuguese royalty leading up to the 1910 revolution. In town you will find a Royal Palace and in the surrounding area there is a Moorish Castle, and the Pena Palace, which dates back to the 19th century. The town is on the Estoril Coast near the Sintra Mountains, making its setting very dramatic, beautiful and picturesque. The surrounding hills are actually designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because they offer a great combination of both cultural importance and natural beauty.

Lille

Lille is a city in northern France on the Deule River near France's border with Belgium. It has the fourth largest urban area in France behind Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Lille (Rijsel in Flemish) may be France's most underrated major city. In recent decades this once-grimy industrial metropolis, with its economy based on declining industries, has transformed itself into a glittering and self-confident cultural and commercial hub. Highlights for the visitor include an attractive old town with a strong Flemish accent, three renowned art museums, stylish shopping, some excellent dining options and a cutting-edge, student-driven nightlife scene. The Lillois have a well-deserved reputation for friendliness – and they're so proud of being friendly that they often mention it.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Lille or Sintra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Lille is €115. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sintra and Lille in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Lille 55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Lille 110
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Lille

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Lille? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Sintra


Hotels in Lille


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sintra Hotel Prices and Lille Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Lille 28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
  • Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
  • Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
  • Tours and Transfers: $89
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lille

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lille:

  • Toulouse Airport private transfer to Toulouse City center: $38
  • Private Transfer to or from Lille Airport: $53
  • Lille Private Transfer from Lille Airport (LIL) to City centre: $57
  • Lille Private Transfer from Lille city centre to Lille Airport (LIL): $57
  • Private One way transfer Lille Airport (LIL) : $77
  • Private Round trip transfer to Lille Airport (LIL) : $155
  • Private Transfer to or from Paris CDG: $535
  • Private Transfer to or from Paris Orly Airport: $642

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Lille?

Prices for flights to both Lille and Sintra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sintra 42
    Lille 42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.

  • Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $220

Typical Food Prices in Lille

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lille are as follows:


  • Dinner for 2
    37

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Lille 16

Tours and Activities in Sintra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:

  • Discover Enchanted A Fairy-Tale Free Tour: $1.28
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $3.74
  • Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket: $4.28
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Pena Palace In-app Audio Tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): $7.44
  • Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket: $13
  • Sintra Sightseeing Train Tour: $13
  • National Palace of Sintra and Gardens Fast Track Ticket: $14
  • National Sintra Palace Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $16
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Sintra: $16
  • Castle of the Moors E-Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $18

Tours and Activities in Lille

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lille are as follows:

  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $4.28
  • Lille Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Lille City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Lille Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $10
  • Vieux Lille 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour: $16
  • Lille City Tour: $18
  • Tournai Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game: $22
  • Discover Tournai while escaping the zombies! Escape game: $22
  • Discover Tournai while playing! Escape game - The alchemist: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Lille 17

Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:

  • Half-Day Tour in Cascais / Sintra with Brunch and Wine Tasting: $60
  • Hiking and Wine Tasting Experience: $71
  • Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $82
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $82
  • Private tour wine tasting in Setubal: $96
  • Excursion from Lisbon to Setúbal: Nature, Beach and Wine Tasting: $125
  • Private Tour Sétubal, Palmela, Arrábida with wine tasting: $175
  • Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
  • From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $235


When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Lille, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Lille Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Lille, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Sintra or Lille?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sintra or Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sintra is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Lille averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Lille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Lille during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Lille. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Lille 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Sintra is generally much warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Lille. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lille. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Lille 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Lille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Lille. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lille can be very cold. Sintra is much warmer than Lille in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Lille during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Lille. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Lille 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Lille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Lille. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

In the spring, Sintra is much warmer than Lille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Lille averages at about 8°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Lille. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Lille. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Lille 8°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Lille and Sintra

Sintra Lille
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 3°C (38°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 6°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 8°C (47°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)